Indoor Localization Using Polyhedral Optical Sensor Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional indoor localization systems face challenges in accuracy and reliability due to signal blocking by walls and environmental changes, particularly in indoor environments where GPS signals are unavailable, and require high-cost auxiliary equipment or complex fingerprint database establishment.
Innovation Solution
A multi-sensor indoor localization method and device utilizing a polyhedron-shaped base with optical sensors and a magnetic sensor group to measure light intensity from a point light source, applying Fast Fourier Transformation techniques and a light intensity model to solve for device coordinates without the need for high auxiliary equipment or signal fingerprint collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS signal is used for localization, then outdoor localization accuracy is maintained, but indoor localization fails due to signal blocking by walls and concrete obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of optical sensors and light sources that mediate the localization process indoors. Instead of directly using GPS signals that are blocked by walls, the system uses optical signals as intermediaries to transmit location information, thereby resolving the signal blocking problem while maintaining localization reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the radio frequency-based GPS system with an optical-based localization system. By substituting the mechanical/electromagnetic GPS signal reception with optical sensing and processing, the system overcomes the limitation of signal blocking by physical obstacles and achieves reliable indoor localization
2Measurement precision
If fingerprint matching method is used for indoor localization, then localization accuracy is improved, but the system becomes complex and tedious to establish due to fingerprint database requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential localization function from the complex fingerprint matching system. Instead of requiring a comprehensive fingerprint database that captures environmental characteristics, the system extracts only the necessary optical signal intensity measurements and geometric relationships, thereby achieving accurate localization with minimal system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by instead of having the system adapt to environmental fingerprints, it uses the known geometric structure and optical properties to directly calculate position. This inversion eliminates the need for database establishment while maintaining high localization accuracy
3Measurement precision
If multilateration/angulation method is used for localization, then localization accuracy is improved, but the system requires high-cost auxiliary equipment with ranging or angle measuring capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the optical sensors to perform self-service localization by using standard sensors to detect light intensity and combining this with geometric calculations. The system uses readily available components that can determine position through computational geometry rather than requiring specialized expensive hardware with built-in ranging or angle measuring capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces specialized hardware-based ranging and angle measuring equipment with a computational approach using standard optical sensors. By substituting mechanical measurement devices with optical sensing and mathematical calculation, the system achieves high localization accuracy without requiring high-cost auxiliary equipment
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method achieves high precision, stability, and low cost localization by using a polyhedron-shaped base with optical sensors and magnetic sensors to determine device coordinates based on light intensity, providing accurate indoor location tracking without the need for complex setup or high-cost equipment.
Implementation Method 1
each sensor obtaining the light intensity of the optical signal by applying Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) and reverse FFT techniques to the sensor readings
Implementation Method 2
obtaining the current heading of the device by a magnetic sensor group
Implementation Method 3
d is the Euclidean distance between (x0, y0, z0), the coordinates of the point light source, and (x, y, z), the coordinates of the optical sensor group
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a multi-sensor indoor localization method and device. The method includes: an optical signal is received from a point light source using an optical sensor group having N optical sensors; the light intensity of the optical signal is obtained, the optical sensor group includes a polyhedron-shaped base where the normal vectors of each three faces are linearly independent, the N optical sensors are located on the faces of the base, and N≧6; the current heading is obtained by a magnetic sensor group; a current unit normal vector is obtained; a system of at least three equations is established; the system of equations is solved to obtain an approximate solution of minimum residual, the approximate solution is regarded as the coordinates of the optical sensor group.